Page 2 of Hooked on Lane (Hooked #1)
Chapter Two
Lane
M y office desk had various case files piled high despite it only being eight thirty in the morning. Nothing like coming in to four days worth of work needed to be done in one. I fired up my computer and took a sip of coffee while waiting for it to boot up. “Morning, Lisa.”
She stopped in my doorframe. “Yet another day of chaos. Being chug that.”
After her laughter subsided down the hallway, I started working on the current case.
The hours I put in as a lawyer were extensive, and the pressure was intense, but it rewarded me with the satisfaction of helping people.
I rummaged through my desk, searching for McNaugh case files.
Ten years at this firm, and my office had never been fuller.
At twelve thirty, I had made considerable progress, so I hustled to the diner to get some food before my one thirty call with a client. We got fresh cases almost every week, so I had to make sure that I understood everything and typed up notes for myself.
Once I had scarfed down my burger and fries and finished my client call. The afternoon got away from me. The stack of papers on my desk had dwindled, but it was time to go home. My eyes were starting to cross. I clicked off my computer, and locked the filing cabinet.
As I walked down the hallway, my boss called me into his office. Mr. Stephens, an older gentleman with silver hair and kind blue eyes. “I need to talk to you about something, son.”
The endearment hit, knowing my father wouldn’t be calling me that anymore. “I was just headed out. What’s going on? New case?”
“No, this is a personal matter. Are you still interested in a partner position?”
“Yes, sir. Have you reconsidered bringing on a partner?” This was confusing because when I started here, Mr. Stephens said he wasn’t bringing on any partners.
Had he changed his mind? The firm was growing, and we needed to at least bring in another lawyer.
We were drowning in our cases right now as it was.
“The firm isn’t ready to bring in a new partner yet, but I found you a great opportunity.”
My eyes roved around the room. “I’m not understanding, sir. What are you saying?”
“I have spoken with Mr. Curren and he would like to offer you a partnership in New York City. He wants to bring on someone who isn’t afraid to put in the work to get things done. Apparently, they have been having issues. When I told him about you, he was eager to bring you on.”
Wait, did he say New York City? Being a couple hundred miles from my mother was one thing, but thousands of miles?
With her health, it wouldn’t work. Mr. Stephens doesn’t know about my personal life, and I liked to keep it that way.
So, I couldn’t fault him for trying to seize this partnership for me.
“Listen, they are open to doing a year trial run and will even lease an apartment for you so you don’t have to spend a dime. You should at least consider it, Lane. You’re going places and I can’t be the stumbling block. If it's not to your liking, you are still welcome here.”
Mr. Stephens handed me an envelope, the weight of which felt heavy in my hands. “This is the official offer. Consider it over the weekend, but they need an answer by Monday. They want you to be in New York City by then because the person you are replacing is retiring. Think about it.”
“Thanks, see you on Monday.” I took the envelope and turned around to leave.
“No offense, but I hope you’re on a plane instead. Have a good weekend.”
A top-notch law firm offered me a partnership position in New York City. I should be elated, already accepting, but my mother needed me. When my father passed, her health declined, and now I’m all she had.
As I held the offer letter in my hands, I wanted to seize this opportunity, but now was not the time to be selfish. My mother made so many sacrifices for me growing up, and I owed her the same. She was my biggest supporter, and if I moved away, I could only visit her, what, twice a year.
Turning it down was the right decision. My mother needed to be my priority.
Experience had taught me that sometimes the greatest things in life were not the things achieved or gained, but the people we could love and care for.
There was no definitive time frame for my mother’s Parkinson’s.
The symptoms would continue to get worse over time, and every weekend I could like this one, I made the drive out to Sikita to visit.
On the road trip over to her, I listened to a playlist my dad sent me before he passed.
It was all his favorite songs and the easiest way to honor his memory with every trip.
The three-hour drive went by in a flash and I pulled into the Home Away from Home center.
If my mother was coherent today, she would wait by the door for me.
The first couple of times, the night care nurses made a big deal since it was late, but when they heard about my situation, they apologized.
When I pulled in and got out, I saw her waiting by the entrance. So today’s a good day. “Hey, Mom.” She enveloped me into a hug that was so tight I could feel her heartbeat against mine. She held me for a moment and then pushed me back to get a good look.
“Let’s go to your room. It’s late.” I grabbed one of her hands and led her toward her room so we wouldn’t wake anyone.
As soon as the door closed, she started in. My mother always wanted to know how the job was going, if I had met anyone yet, typical mother fashion. “No, I'm still single. Who has time to find someone? I spend most of my days in the office and then sleep when I can.”
“Oh honey, you need to remember that your life is going to go by, and you will wake up one morning, old and gray, and regret all the things you wish you had done.”
“I’ll have more time to focus on my personal life soon. Speaking of, I got an offer to become a partner. Don’t worry, Mama. I’m not taking it.” I opened a bag of chips from the gas station as my stomach growled.
“Why would you do that? You have been working yourself to death.”
“It’s a wonderful offer, but you mean more to me than any partnership ever will. New York City is too far away. I’m not leaving you behind.”
The effects of her Parkinson’s had worsened, and she sometimes could not leave her bed. I would love to scoop her up and take her with me, but it wasn’t an option. Especially if I didn’t know if it was going to end up being permanent. She loved this home and the nurses. I couldn’t do that to her.
She held my gaze for a few moments before a faint sigh escaped her lips and she shook her head.
“Son, don’t hinder your life because of me.
You will have a whole life after I’m gone and you shouldn’t be sidestepping opportunities like this because of your sick mother.
Go chase your dreams, just like your daddy taught you. ”
I gripped her hands in mine. “Daddy wouldn’t have wanted to leave you alone here. I already hate living hours away, and if I take it, I can’t come visit every weekend like now. It’s thousands of miles away.”
“I can handle knowing you are living your dream, son. I was stuck in that small town all my life and you have the chance to go to one of the best cities… please take it. If not for you, then for me.” She wrapped her arms around me.
“I’m so proud of you, son. Even as a young boy, you had the dream of becoming an excellent lawyer and making partner one day.
Your daddy would be so proud of you. Go pack your bags and book your ticket. I’ll see you again soon.”
She shoved me out of her room, and a dutiful son never argued with his mother. With purpose in my step, I walked out to my car and dialed the number on the offer, leaving a message that I was ready to accept and booked my flight the next day.
New York City, here I come.